The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-02-24

stay here" LIE said to Clinch, sunless you
want me-"
Clinch cast swift and meaning glance at
the enemy, but looked approval. Keep
your eyes skinned, and you're good for
dozen of 'em," he said, soto voce, and then
turned to Stanner "rm going to take this
paper to Wild Cat. If you want to commu-
nicate with me hereafter you know where
am to he found, unless'-he smiled gyimly--
"you'd like to see NE outside for few min
utes before go2" ,
sit is a matter that concerns the stage
tempt to appear at his ease.
Hale accompanied Cliuch and Rawlins
through the kitchen to the stables. The ost-
Ter, Dick, had already returned to tho rescue
OF the snow bound coach. i. -.zss.,c:~.. =.
II shouldn't like to leave many men alone
with that crowd" said CIinch, pressing Hale's
hand; "and wouldn't have allowed your
staying behind eff 1 didn't know could bet
my pile on you. Your offeril' to stay just
puts clean finish on it. Look yer, Hale, l
didn't cotton much to you at first; but eff you
ever want a friend, call on Ringwood Clinch."
"Tbe same here, old man," said Rawlins,
extending his hand as he appeared from a
buried conference with the old woman at
the woodshed, land trust to Zeenie to give
you hint eff there's anythin' underhanded
goin' on. So long"
Half inclined to resent this implied sugges-
ton of protection, yet half pleased at tho idea
of confidence with the handsome girl he
had seen, Hale returned to the room. A
whispered discussion among tho party ceased
on his entering, and an awkward silence fol-
lowed, which Hale did not attempt to break
as he quietly took his seat again by the fire.
He was presently confronted by Stanner,
who, with an affectation of easy familiarity,
er2ssed over to the hearth.
"The old kernels id peppery and high
toned when he's got little more than bis
regular three fingers O. corn juice, ehln
Il must beg you to understand distinctly,
Mr.. Stanner," said Hale, with a return of
bis habitual precision Of statement, that /
regard any sighting allusion to the gentle
nan who has just left not only as in exceed
ingly bad taste coming from you, but very
offensive to myself. If you mean to imply
that he was under the influence of LIQUOR, it
is my duty to undeceive you; he was 50 per-
fectly in possession of his faculties as to ex-
press not only his own but my opinion of
your conduct. You must also admit that be
was discriminating enough to show his OBJ
lection to your company by leavingit. Ire
greet that circumstances do not make it con-
venient for me to exercise that privilege;
but if I am obliged to put up with your
presence in this room, strongly insist that
it is not made uncomfortable with the addition
of your conversation"
The effect Of this deliberate and passion
less declaration was more discomposing to
the party than Clinch's fury. Utterly unac-
customed to the ideas and language suddenly
confronting them. ther were unable to deter
mine whether it was the real expression Of
the speaker, or whether it Yves q yegue badi:
nage' r. aifectatien to which any reply would
Involve them In ridicule. In country ter
rcrized by practical joking they did not
doubt but That this was new form of hoax
ing calculated to provoke some response that
would constitute them as victims. The i'm
mediate effect upon them was that complete
silence III regard to himself that Hale de-
sired. They drew together again and con-
versed in whispers, while Hale, with his eyes
fixed on the fire, gave himself up to some
what late and useless reflection:
He could scarcely realize his position. For
however he might look at it, within space
of twelve hours he had not only changed
some Of his most cherished opinions, but he
had acted in accordance with that change in
a way that made it seem almost impossible
for him ever to recant. In the interests Of
law and order he had engaged in an ,lnlaw-
full and disorderly pursuit of criminals, and
had actually come in conflict, not with the
criminals, but with the only party appar-
emily authorized to pursue them. More than
that, he was finding himself committed to o
Twenty-four 1oprs ago, IL any one had told
him that he would have condoned an illegal
act for it's abstract justice OF assisted to COM
init an illegal act for the same purpose, he
would have felt himself insulted. That he
knew he would not now feel it an insult per-
picked him still more in these circum-
stances the fact that he was separated from
his family, and as it were from all his past
life and traditions by chance accident, did
not disturb him greatly; indeed, he was for
the first time little doubtful Of their prob.
able criticism on his Inconsistency, and was
by no means in hurry to subject himself
to it.
Lifting his eyes, he was suddenly aware
that the door leading to the kitchen was
slowly opening. He had thought he heard it
creak once or twice during his deliberate re-
ply to Stanner. 1t was evidently moving
now so as to attract his attention, without
disturbing the Others. 1t presently opened
sufficiently wide to show the face of Zeenie,
who, with a gesture Of caution toward his
companions, beckoned him to join her. 1Ie
rose carelessly as If going out, and, putting
on his hat, entered the kitchen as the retreat
ing figure Of the young girl glided lightly
toward the stables. She assembled few open
steps as il to hay loft, but stopped before
low door, Pushing it open, she preceded him
into small room, apparently under the roof,
which scarcely allowed her to stand upright
BY the light of stable lantern hanging from
beam he saw that, though poorly furnished,
it bore some evidence of feminine taste and
habitation. Motioning to the only chair, she
seated herself on the edge of the bed, with her
hands clasping her knees in her familiar att-
t,Ide. Her face bore traces Of recent agita-
ton, and her eyes were shining with tears
by the closer light of the lantern lie was sur
prised to find it was from laughter.
@Ireckoned you'd be right lonely down there
with that Stanner crowd, partickerly after
that little speech d your'n, so sez to NAV
I'd get you up yer for spell. Nav and ]
heerd you exhort lem! Nav allowed you Voc
talkin' furrin tongue all along, but l-sakes
aliye!-I he'd to hump myself to keep from
Dustin into yell when yer jist drawei them
, Webster unabridged sentences on 'ein." She
stopped and rocked backward and forward
with laugh that subdued by the proximity
Of the roof and the fear OF being overheard,
was by no means unmusical @lll tell we
vhot got me, thought That part comnenc-
ing: .Suckamstances over which I've no con-
troul--'H
"Oh, come! didn't say that, /" interrupted
~ q